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PAWS readies for Pawlooza in the Park

The Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is preparing for Pawlooza in the Park on Sept. 16 in Island Park. The money raised from the fundraising walk will go towards the opening of PAWS' building fund. (FILE PHOTO)

The Portage Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is getting ready for its annual Pawlooza in the Park coming up in September.

Suz Wiens, PAWS co-director of fundraising, said the event will be held on Sept. 16 at Island Park with things kicking off at 1:00 p.m.

“It’s our annual walk-a-thon. Everything will be the same as last year – come bring your dogs. There will be silent auction prizes, a barbecue, as well a slushie machine. Possibly there will also be an agility course set up for everyone to try out,” said Wiens.

The Walk-a-Thin will also include a number of contests and prizes including best pet trick, best costume, and pet/owner look-a-like contest.

What has changed this year is that PAWS has partnered with Scotia Bank to raise funds.

“We’ve been extremely lucky. We’ve got Scotia Bank offering to support us dollar for dollar. Every pledge dollar that we get will be doubled this year, so we’re hoping to make this our biggest Pawlooza ever. We are very excited about that,” said Wiens.

PAWS have seen amazing support from the business community when coming up with awesome silent auction prizes, now they just need some support from the residnts of Portage and area.

“We were amazingly lucky, we had so much support this year. I had amazing help going to businesses, we have amazing silent auction prizes. From a barbecue to a steel fire pit to designer clothing,” said Wiens. “Things are looking really good in the prizes and the business support end of it. Now we just need to get some public support, get the public out there collecting pledges, and showing up to the event.”

All funds raised from this year’s Pawlooza in the Park will go to support the first no kill animal shelter in Portage la Prairie.

“This is to support our building, we’re trying to get it up and running. We’ve got the land so we’re just hoping to get enough money to put up a building so we can actually get Portage’s animal shelter going,” said Wiens.

If you want to donate but can’t make it to the event you can contact PAWS at 857-7297 to make arrangements to get your pledges in before the event.